EV Myths: Clearing the air on battery longevity

In a world where electric vehicles (EVs) are fast becoming a common sight on the streets, there remains uncertainty around the lifespan of EV batteries. In this article, we will be looking at current state of EV manufacturing and what that means for the longevity of batteries as more and more of us make the switch to EV.

We conducted a poll amongst our LinkedIn network to gain a better understanding of the public perception around EV battery longevity.[1] We found that 39% of respondents believed that EV batteries would need replacing after only 6-10 years. This however is not the case, as according to the most recent industry expectations, EV batteries are projected to last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, or around 15 to 20 years.[2] EVs are currently estimated to lose an average of 2.3% of their battery capacity per year. To put that into context, if you purchase an EV today with a 240 km (150 miles) range, you’ll have only lost about 27 km (17 miles) of accessible range after five years.[3]

In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have continued to evolve, playing a crucial role in the increasing adoption of EVs. One of the most notable trends has been the development of battery technology, enabling EVs to travel longer distances on a single charge and have an overall longer lifespan. Equally, the cost of lithium battery manufacturing has fallen significantly, decreasing by around 97% over the last 30 years.[4]

While there have been major advancements in battery technologies in recent years, there are still limitations, which at this point are still unavoidable, such as battery degradation. This is where the battery slowly loses maximum potential over time after numerous charge cycles. To combat this, EV batteries utilise complex battery management systems (BMS) to regulate charge cycles to help prolong the life of the battery.[5]

To many consumers there may still be some doubt around battery longevity, and so to alleviate this, most major EV manufacturers offer warranties on their batteries. These warranties vary depending on manufacturer, but typically tend to range between 8 to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Not only does this speak to the confidence of manufacturers in the durability of EV batteries but also provides owners with the reassurance of a long-lasting investment.[6]

While EV batteries are designed to last, there are things that owners could do to maximise the lifespan of their batteries. It is always recommended to follow your EVs specific guidelines for optimal battery performance but there are some general best practises.[7]

• Minimise exposure to extreme heat

While we don’t often see extreme heat in the UK, it is seen as best practice, particularly in warmer climates, to avoid parking in areas of extreme heat for prolonged periods of time. This may lead to premature degradation of the battery.

• Minimise rapid charging where possible

Despite being the most convenient option for EV charging, DC fast charging places a greater strain on the battery. While this wouldn’t be immediately noticeable, over time this can eventually lead to quicker degradation of the battery.

• Minimise states of 0% or 100% charge

While the majority of EVs utilise a battery management system to aid this, it is regarded as best practise to avoid leaving the battery at a state of either complete discharge or complete charge for prolonged periods of time.

The demand for EVs will continue to rise, and with that comes the demand for improved EV technology. Initiatives such as The Faraday Battery Challenge (FBC) delivered by Innovate UK is investing over £540 million in the research, development and scale-up of battery technologies in the UK.[8] It would seem that the EV experience will continue to be refined as we approach closer to the UK government’s ambitious target for 100% of new vehicles to be zero emission by 2035.[9]

Be sure to read our last EV Myths article, breaking down the cost barriers to EVs: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7107003880814596096

[1] https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7121143782162485248

[2] BNEF Electric Vehicle Outlook 2023 (bbhub.io)

[3] https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/doc/1355829/file.pdf

[4] https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/EE/D0EE02681F

[5] https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-pivotal-role-of-battery-management-systems-on-the-performance-of-electric-vehicles

[6] https://electriccarguide.co.uk/the-best-electric-car-battery-warranty/

[7] https://www.theaa.com/driving-school/electric-vehicles/advice/extend-ev-battery-life

[8] https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/our-main-funds-and-areas-of-support/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/faraday-battery-challenge/

[9] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-path-to-zero-emission-vehicles-by-2035